Mr Boysie Richard Russell

Boysie Richard Russell was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England on 11 November 1894.

He was the son of Richard Russell (b. 1872 in Gloucestershire) and Emily Jane Hicks (b. 1868 in Wiltshire) who were married in Hampshire in 1892. His father Richard was a licensed victualler and ran the Anchor Public House and Hotel in Redbridge, Southampton.

Boysie first appears on the 1901 census living with his family at the Anchor Public House in Southampton and would still be at this address by the time of the 1911 census. By the latter record, he had left school and was described as an assistant in his father's business.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4th April, 1912, Boysie gave as his local address the Anchor Hotel, Redbridge. Boysie Russell was not the only member of his family to work on White Star Line ships, and his brother was an Escoffier-trained chef. He had transferred to the Titanic from the Olympic. As a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Boysie died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Southern Daily Echo (29 April 1912):

RUSSELL--Boysie Richard. Dearly beloved eldest son of Richard and Emily Russell, of the Anchor Hotel, Redbridge. In his 17th year.

He is remembered on the Titanic memorial in St Mary's Church, Eling, Totton, near Southampton.

To the memory of
Frederick Walter Goodwin, aged 34 years
William Thomas Fox, aged 27 years
Tom Warwick, aged 25 years
All of this parish.
Boysie Richard Russell of Redbridge, aged 17½ years
William Edward Hine of Lyndhurst, aged 36 years
Who were lost on the SS Titanic after collision with an Ice
Berg in the North Atlantic at midnight April 14th, 1912 When
More than 1500 passengers and crew were drowned.
"When Thou Passest Through the Waters, I Will Be with Thee"